Church Leads Drive To Combat Drug Use

SANFORD — Concern over the sudden popularity of rock cocaine has prompted a small Sanford church to spearhead a drive to let drug users know that help is available for them.

The city, led by Mayor Bettye Smith, has thrown its support behind the project with a promise to make it a citywide effort.

City commissioners this week unanimously endorsed the formation of a ''grassroots drug task force'' with a wide range of participants, including a former drug addict and the pastor of the church.

Appointment to the task force is open to all volunteers, Smith said, adding that such professionals as mental health counselors and judges have been lined up to support the group.

The first meeting will be at 7 p.m. July 8 at the city's Westside Recreation Center on Persimmon Avenue. About 15 drug users will attend the meeting, said the Rev. Maurice Bennett, pastor of the Grace Apostolic Temple, 203 E. 16th St.

One will be a 13-year-old pregnant girl who is addicted to rock cocaine, Bennett said.

The drug problem was brought to the church's attention by a former addict who will serve on the task force, Bennett said. The person now attends the church. While the group hopes to target users of all drugs, rock cocaine is its main concern.

''Drugs transcend all boundaries,'' Sanford Police Chief Steve Harriett said. ''I would hope this type of program would be available to the entire community.''

The July 8 program will include ''a very graphic and true-to-life movie showing the effects of drugs,'' Smith said. The movie is intended to ''get their attention,'' she said.

Smith will then give a talk on self-image. The talk, which she gives often, is intended to show ''how you need to like yourself,'' Smith said. ''Each person is a unique and important individual.''

The success of the project will depend on the acceptance by the drug users, Harriett said. ''I think it's a good move from the standpoint of taking advantage of citizen initiative.''

Bennett expects all 40 members of his congregation to get involved in the project. Other churches may also support the project, he said.

Church members will be going door-to-door to discuss drug use and distribute fliers, he said.

Smith's willingness to attend and speak at the meeting ''lends credibility'' to the project, Bennett said.